The nurse is caring for a 3 year old with repeated diarrhea. the client is listless ad clings to the parent. the nurse reviews the labwork which reports a ph - 7.33, hco3 - 21, paco2 - 42. which would be documented?

Answer: Metabolic acidosis

Diarrhea leads to a metabolic acidosis through the extreme loss of base substances in stools. This is noted in the ABG levels with blood pH indicating acidosis and the bicarb being abnormal.